Why are you a non-denominational Christian?

[JHM]

Well jinc1019, wjhat did you think of the stuff I sent you re "The Nicolaitanes Code"? I would point out that part of the code says : "Hold Ability - possessed with" "Be Able" "Take for, - tremble, uncircumcised use"

 

[jinc1019]

Well jinc1019, wjhat did you think of the stuff I sent you re "The Nicolaitanes Code"? I would point out that part of the code says : "Hold Ability - possessed with" "Be Able" "Take for, - tremble, uncircumcised use"

Personally, I don't find the evidence compelling...but what do I know?

 

[jinc1019]

Now one denomination I know has many good basic doctrines but does not follow a full gospel position on the spiritual gifts. It is a rather small denomination but good for other basic doctrine and that is the Plymouth Brethren. It is similar to Baptist but on bible studying steroids without the total focus on salvation but on growth after salvation through study of scripture.

There isn't even a pastor in a PB congregation but a board of elders that alternates on teaching or traveling speakers that go from congregation to congregation. It is strictly set up according to scripture in all aspects but they do hold to an interpretation that the spiritual gifts have ceased.

I would consider it a good starter congregation until you out grow it spiritually. That was my family background until my mother got cast out for getting involved with a deliverance ministry. She was accused of being charismatic before we even knew what that was. We did end up in a charismatic non-denominational church but with much needed scriptural knowledge that seems to be lacking in many charismatic churches that tend to focus mostly on the spiritual aspects but have severe deficiencies in other areas.

Get what you can from whatever denomination. They will generally all have strengths and weaknesses.

I will look into it.

 

[rgleason]

LOL. I agree we won't be judged on doctrine BUT overcoming false doctrine is one of the issues with rewards to the overcomer in the 7 letters in Rev 2&3. There is eternal reward for overcoming error. The level of error you overcome determines your eternal position within the kingdom. Some will be of low status like street sweepers living on the outer wall while others will hold positions of authority like 'ruler over nations', 'priest' or even 'king' sharing the throne room.

It is funny because the very first error to overcome is 'loss of first love'. It you don't have the love, obviously your doctrines are way off. The ability to operate in love is the very first problem presented then rooting out false doctrine within you is one of the more advanced issues that grants even greater reward to the overcomer.

So much of Christianity is still stuck in the very 1st problem presented. They are stuck in judgmental self-righteous RELIGION with a total lack of love.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that the prophecy was to Spirit filled, born again believers who were questioning someones position on the book of Revelation, not to the general public.

 

[4LivingCreations]

Why are you a non-denominational Christian?

Because servants are instructed to be of one accord.
And no denomination seems to be of one accord with the others.

 

[Stephen Kendall]

I don't claim any denomination - only a close relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit and I am a God loving servant of the most high God.

Great. I have felt there are many sort of like myself. It is good to meet some.

 

[Stephen Kendall]

You know it's kind of arrogant to call yourself a "true" Christian, because what you consider "true", other churches (Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, Methodist, etc.) might consider false or heresy.

Call yourself a plain or simple Christian. Let us be humble and let others do the figuring for themselves. Isn't it enough to be His, a simple old simple Christian.

God will knows my flavor.

 

[Stephen Kendall]

Very good point. One of my biggest problems is that I seem to have a problem with every denomination! Always in the details too.

However, while it is certainly tempting to join a non-denominational church for the reasons you outlined, it somehow feels like I am "making up" my own faith or that I am joining a church that doesn't stand for anything specific. Do you know what I mean? It just feels like an excuse to get out of tough questions....I guess you could make the same argument about joining a denomination though (when one joins one and then defers to whatever they teach no matter what).

Once you are saved, you are part of God's true church, so what is the big deal about trying to emulate it here in human terms through denominations. We belong to Christ and have fellowship with others who believe in Jesus. I love a little Seventh Dad Adventist church (my wife's), but I don't belong to it or any. I already belong to Jesus in his true church. I love to spend time with others in whatever building or place that they wish to meet for the Lord. I researched for a long time about Christian History, doctrines, theologies, dogmas and others. It with prayers made me who I am, knowledgeable about my faith and able to know what I believe in. I don't care to challenge anyone of their faith, the opposite is so, I want them to explore their faith and strengthen it in prayer with God.

 

[SharonL]

Once you are saved, you are part of God's true church, so what is the big deal about trying to emulate it here in human terms through denominations. We belong to Christ and have fellowship with others who believe in Jesus. I love a little Seventh Dad Adventist church (my wife's), but I don't belong to it or any. I already belong to Jesus in his true church. I love to spend time with others in whatever building or place that they wish to meet for the Lord. I researched for a long time about Christian History, doctrines, theologies, dogmas and others. It with prayers made me who I am, knowledgeable about my faith and able to know what I believe in. I don't care to challenge anyone of their faith, the opposite is so, I want them to explore their faith and strengthen it in prayer with God.

 

[Stephen Kendall]

Thank you.

 

[retlaw]

I for one did not choose my church because it was non-denominational. It just happens to be. However watching how Denominations one right after the other are caving to the Homosexual Political lobby and their well paid lawyers I'm Glad the bucks stops with my pastor. the day he caves (should that day arrive) is the day I go to private invitation only secret church meetings in my home. We may have to come up with a new secret symbol since the fish thing was exposed.

 

[Norah63]

I hear you retlaw, and Franklyhonest, finding a place to worship without politics is pretty rare these days.
Home church is most likely the way it should have always stayed anyway.

 

[Donnyboy]

I've always felt like my relationship with God was private. Organized religions always impose their particular set of dogmas and I prefer spirituality to be separate from a set of rules made by man.

 

[Colleen1]

For myself I like this forum because I have been to various orthodox Christian churches and have seen positives and negatives in all. I don't think there is only one right and true church. My beliefs are based to a great degree on the Bible apart from any specific church's view. I am an Nicene Creed believing Christian but I think it is okay for orthodox Christians to have varying views and still be able to come together.

 

[GodBeliever1980]

I have to wonder if "non-denominational" churches are actually denominations themselves. Each seems to have an specific form of theology their members must adhere to. Whether it's emerging, liberal, literalist, evangelical, charismatic, calvinist, arminian, or any other protestant ideology.

 

[abysmul]

I have to wonder if "non-denominational" churches are actually denominations themselves. Each seems to have an specific form of theology their members must adhere to. Whether it's emerging, liberal, literalist, evangelical, charismatic, calvinist, arminian, or any other protestant ideology.

http://www.christianforums.com/t7396062/

You might want to read that, so you understand what non denominational means here in this forum.

 

[Colleen1]

I have to wonder if "non-denominational" churches are actually denominations themselves. Each seems to have an specific form of theology their members must adhere to. Whether it's emerging, liberal, literalist, evangelical, charismatic, calvinist, arminian, or any other protestant ideology.

Good question.

 

[New_Wineskin]

I don't claim any denomination - only a close relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit and I am a God loving servant of the most high God.

I am the same .

 

[korvus]

Because the concept of Christianity being divided is dumb and seems to make us separated.

I don't even want to call myself non-denominational as it seems to be a contradiction in itself. Just call me Christian.

 

[rrguy]

I never stated that is wasn't a Christian denomination. My wife and her family were God fearing Christians. But the reformation was in breaking away from much of the corruption that had worked its way into the Roman church. Much of that corruption was the mixing of doctrines and practices of pagan origins that got mixed in from the time of Constantine when Christianity became the official Roman religion. Many pagans got swept into the church. Pagan temples got coverted to churches. For example the imagery of naked winged babies comes straight out of the pagan temples.

You won't find anyone saying 'Hail Mary ...' in most of the protestant denominations. They dropped the Mother goddess veneration of the RCC. They generally would NOT be praying to anyone other the Yeshua (Jesus) or Yah (YHVH, the Father). That is part of the corruption that the reformation did away with.

Being a Catholic doesn't make you a Christian BUT there are many Christians in the RCC. It all comes down to if the individual is just taking part in religion they were born into verses having Yeshua as their personal savior. For example the high priestess of Ashtoreth I knew was raised Catholic but was not a Christian. She just attended as a family requirement but rejected the ways of God. She even attended Catholic schools all her life but did all her praying to the 'queen of heaven' who she KNEW was a title of Ashtoreth from her biblical studies required by her Catholic schools.

Now as Catholicism spread, often they would incorporate local pagan gods in as local saints to help recruit pagan societies.

little I learned about history of Christianity & I remember the Church trying to convert pagans & giving them something to celebrate in Honor towards God vs what the pagans did normally. im no expert but you can argue since a Christian does something like Celebrate Christmas at the same time the pagans use to celebrate its still pagen?
You are saying the Queen of Heaven is Not Mary the mother of Jesus but Ashtoreth?
I don't know the whole history of the Lutheran Church But Luther himself recognized Mary as the Mother of God & believed many of the same sacraments as the Catholics? as different Lutheran churches peeled off I can't argue they are more Christian or less pagan?
You make some very obvious common sense statements Yet are miss worded I would say. If you accept a Church to be Christian say Chatholic & someone is a true Catholic then they must be Christian? someone who goes through the motions doesn't make them anything. Going to church may not make every or anyone Christian sure, yet if someone whole heartly believes in Christ & the church they go to does the same & he or she follows its teachings vs there own then they must be Christians?